Special to IFN
With small businesses feeling the impacts of rising health care costs, the N.C. Chamber has partnered with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of North Carolina to provide a new health plan option for small businesses, their employees and their families.
This plan, Carolina HealthWorks, is available to small businesses who are members of The Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce.
To introduce this plan, the Chamber is offering an introductory meeting on Wednesday, November 12, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Statesville Civic Center. It is open to businesses with 2 to 50 employees. To register, visit https://www.statesvillechamber.org/chamberevents/
The Chamber encourages you to invest an hour and come to learn if this plan could provide less-expensive, high quality health insurance coverage to your employees.
About Carolina Healthworks
Carolina HealthWorks brings together North Carolina small businesses to access more affordable health care through a multiple employer welfare arrangement, which offers an alternative to small businesses that allows them to pool their resources and provide access to the rate advantages and benefits typically only enjoyed by larger groups.
Carolina HealthWorks is available starting November 1.
Carolina HealthWorks has chosen Blue Cross NC to be the administrator for this health plan, offering access to Blue Cross NC’s broad network. Small business owners have opportunities to enroll in the plan throughout the year.
Carolina HealthWorks is sold through Blue Cross NC appointed agents, allowing businesses to continue working with their existing Blue Cross NC agent. Direct enrollment is available through Blue Cross NC for those not currently working with an agent. More information about Carolina HealthWorks is available on the Blue Cross NC website or the NC Chamber’s website.
“North Carolina leads the nation in business—but is one of the most expensive states for health care – a sharp contradiction that hits hardest for small businesses fighting to survive.” said Gary Salamido, president and CEO of the NC Chamber. “This moment demands real solutions. The creation of Carolina HealthWorks is a meaningful step in giving small businesses a tangible, more affordable path forward. We appreciate Blue Cross NC’s willingness to partner and find an affordable, thoughtful solution designed to help small businesses support their teams, their families, and stay competitive.”
In North Carolina, small businesses are an important part of the economy. The state has more than 1 million small businesses. Data from 2022 showed that businesses with fewer than 20 employees represented 18% of total private employment, and those with 20 to 40 employees represented 10%.
“Right now, the health care system is shifting, and our market is experiencing immense volatility. It will take partnerships and new ideas to meet this moment,” said Dr. Tunde Sotunde, CEO of Blue Cross NC. “Our partnership with the NC Chamber, and the launch of Carolina HealthWorks, is an example of a creative collaboration to solve a real problem: the soaring cost of health care for small businesses. Blue Cross NC stands ready to partner with organizations committed to driving down health care costs in North Carolina.”
According to a national analysis, small businesses bear higher burdens from health insurance costs, representing a higher percentage of payroll costs when compared to larger businesses. In fact, among small businesses that do not offer health insurance, 65% cited cost as the most important reason. The impact of those decisions is significant since more than 94% of businesses in the United States have fewer than 50 employees and more than 27% of private sector employees work in firms with 1 to 49 employees.